Word of mouth says that there is a drop out crisis in American high schools and that graduation rates are at an all time low. Society has a way of believing and harping on negative catch phrases that that we hear from our neighbors, our newspapers, and our news telecasters. Ravitch speaks out and counters their claims. She says that in reality drop out rates are at an all time low and that high school graduation rates are at an all time high. These popular adverse claims are really just misinterpretations of drop out and graduation rate data.
Ravitch supports her counter argument by revealing how this information has been misconstrued. Her first point is that the graduation rate data does not take into account those high school students who take more than four years to graduation. 75-78 percent of those who do not graduate in the anticipated four years continue on to get their high school diploma. Although the graduation rates may seem lower, it is actually just taking some longer to fulfill their graduation requirements. Similarly, the drop out data does not include those students who have drop out and complete their GED. These students are getting some form of degree, but in a way that messes with the data. If one looks at the data through Ravitch’s eyes, they will see that since after World War II our graduation rates have been increasing. In fact, 90 percent of people between the ages 18 and 24 in the US have either a high school diploma or their GED. There is no drop out crisis and they hype about our graduation rates is overdramatic. If anything our graduation rate seems modest because it is already so high. Now, if we wanted to tamper with the graduation rates so that it is clear to society that there is no problem, the US could lower our standards for graduation. However this would lead to meaningless degrees and low quality education. Instead of worrying about the data, we should just make sure that the US is offering the most quality education possible.
Notes: -some people take 5 years to graduate (75-78% of those who don’t graduate in 4 years). -GEDs -90% of ppl btw 18-24 have high school diploma/GED -those in non grad group include immigrants -not a good goal to have everyone graduate bc then we would have to lower graduation standards–worth less -growth rate flat because of high rates -drop outs are greatly afro-american and hispanics who drop out from highly segregated schools -graduation rate down in WWII, but rose 7% by 1970 -graduation rate 74% by 1990 and rose to 78.2% in 2010
When developing a new strategic plan, using Ravitch’s point of view, we will note that raising graduation rates is not a problem nor is it a priority. How high the graduation rates are is all a matter of perspective. In fact attempting to raise graduation rates and lower drop out rates will only hinder our goals of improving the quality of education. If anything we could provide more resources to struggling students so that they might be able to graduate in a timely manner. When developing a new strategic plan our focus needs to be the students and their education because, as Ravitch has shown, data and information can be altered or distorted.
Word of mouth says that there is a drop out crisis in American high schools and that graduation rates are at an all time low. Society has a way of believing and harping on negative catch phrases that that we hear from our neighbors, our newspapers, and our news telecasters. Ravitch speaks out and counters their claims. She says that in reality drop out rates are at an all time low and that high school graduation rates are at an all time high. These popular adverse claims are really just misinterpretations of drop out and graduation rate data.
Ravitch supports her counter argument by revealing how this information has been misconstrued. Her first point is that the graduation rate data does not take into account those high school students who take more than four years to graduation. 75-78 percent of those who do not graduate in the anticipated four years continue on to get their high school diploma. Although the graduation rates may seem lower, it is actually just taking some longer to fulfill their graduation requirements. Similarly, the drop out data does not include those students who have drop out and complete their GED. These students are getting some form of degree, but in a way that messes with the data. If one looks at the data through Ravitch’s eyes, they will see that since after World War II our graduation rates have been increasing. In fact, 90 percent of people between the ages 18 and 24 in the US have either a high school diploma or their GED. There is no drop out crisis and they hype about our graduation rates is overdramatic. If anything our graduation rate seems modest because it is already so high. Now, if we wanted to tamper with the graduation rates so that it is clear to society that there is no problem, the US could lower our standards for graduation. However this would lead to meaningless degrees and low quality education. Instead of worrying about the data, we should just make sure that the US is offering the most quality education possible.
Notes:
-some people take 5 years to graduate (75-78% of those who don’t graduate in 4 years).
-GEDs
-90% of ppl btw 18-24 have high school diploma/GED
-those in non grad group include immigrants
-not a good goal to have everyone graduate bc then we would have to lower graduation standards–worth less
-growth rate flat because of high rates
-drop outs are greatly afro-american and hispanics who drop out from highly segregated schools
-graduation rate down in WWII, but rose 7% by 1970
-graduation rate 74% by 1990 and rose to 78.2% in 2010
When developing a new strategic plan, using Ravitch’s point of view, we will note that raising graduation rates is not a problem nor is it a priority. How high the graduation rates are is all a matter of perspective. In fact attempting to raise graduation rates and lower drop out rates will only hinder our goals of improving the quality of education. If anything we could provide more resources to struggling students so that they might be able to graduate in a timely manner. When developing a new strategic plan our focus needs to be the students and their education because, as Ravitch has shown, data and information can be altered or distorted.